This is the Statt Mann, Baby. It’s time to Scatt a Little Bit…

You don’t have to be a World Rally Championship fan to get caught up in the Ott Tanak crash during Rally Mexico Friday.

The Estonian driver was on special stage three when a depression in the road swallowed up his suspension sending his Ford Fiesta to the outside of the road.

Trouble is, the outside of the road was a reservoir and in he went with co-driver Raigo Moelde and the lucky Duck mascot strapped to the dash.  Luckily Tanak and Moelde got out. The car sunk in seconds and was submerged in deep muddy water for ten hours.

But here’s the next best story. Tanak’s Ford crew fished the car out of the muck, cleaned it up and repaired it overnight so Tanak could continue Saturday morning under special rules.

Tanak didn’t finish well but that’s kind of beside the point isn’t it?

Some drivers in circuit racing will quit if they get a flat tire. Here’s a driver and co-driver who dove into a reservoir, swam for their lives seconds after they were competing on the road, then climbed back into a rescued car and went for it. Again.

The video is the highlight of the year so far. This story is why I love everything about rallying.

Peace.